How do you use "to + verb vs for + noun/-ing" in a sentence?

I went to the shop to buy milk. I went to the shop for some milk. This is a tool for cutting metal. What's this button for?

to + verb vs for + noun/-ing

Q: What does "to + verb vs for + noun/-ing" mean?

Expressing purpose with different structures Purpose with verb: 'I came to help' (to + infinitive). Purpose with noun: 'I came for help' (for + noun). 'For + -ing' describes what something is used for: 'a knife for cutting.'

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Significado: Expressing purpose with different structures

用不同结构表达目的

Expresar propósito con diferentes estructuras

異なる構造で目的を表現する

다양한 구조로 목적 표현하기

Purpose with verb: 'I came to help' (to + infinitive). Purpose with noun: 'I came for help' (for + noun). 'For + -ing' describes what something is used for: 'a knife for cutting.'

用动词表示目的：'I came to help'（to + 不定式）。用名词表示目的：'I came for help'（for + 名词）。'For + -ing'描述事物的用途：'a knife for cutting'。

Propósito con verbo: 'I came to help' (to + infinitivo). Propósito con sustantivo: 'I came for help' (for + sustantivo). 'For + -ing' describe para qué se usa algo: 'a knife for cutting.'

動詞で目的を表す：「I came to help」（to + 不定詞）。名詞で目的を表す：「I came for help」（for + 名詞）。「For + -ing」は何かの用途を説明します：「a knife for cutting」。

동사와 함께 목적을 나타낼 때: 'I came to help' (to + 부정사). 명사와 함께 목적을 나타낼 때: 'I came for help' (for + 명사). 'for + -ing'는 용도를 설명합니다: 'a knife for cutting.'

Ejemplos

I went to the shop to buy milk.
我去商店买牛奶。
Fui a la tienda a comprar leche.
牛乳を買いに店に行きました。
우유를 사러 가게에 갔습니다.
I went to the shop for some milk.
我去商店买点牛奶。
Fui a la tienda por leche.
牛乳を買いに店に行きました。
우유를 사러 가게에 갔습니다.
This is a tool for cutting metal.
这是切割金属的工具。
Esta es una herramienta para cortar metal.
これは金属を切るための道具です。
이것은 금속을 자르는 도구입니다.
What's this button for?
这个按钮是干什么用的？
¿Para qué es este botón?
このボタンは何のためですか？
이 버튼은 무엇에 쓰는 건가요?

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: spoken, written, everyday

Tono: purposive

✓ Correcto

I called to ask a question.
我打电话来问个问题。
Llamé para hacer una pregunta.
質問するために電話しました。
질문하려고 전화했어요.
I called for some information.
我打电话来了解一些信息。
Llamé para pedir información.
情報を得るために電話しました。
정보를 얻으려고 전화했어요.
It's a machine for washing dishes.
这是洗碗的机器。
Es una máquina para lavar platos.
皿洗い用の機械です。
설거지하는 기계예요.
I went to buy milk.
我去买牛奶了。
Fui a comprar leche.
牛乳を買いに行きました。
우유를 사러 갔어요.
I came to help.
我来帮忙的。
Vine a ayudar.
手伝いに来ました。
도와주러 왔어요.

✗ Incorrecto

I went for to buy milk. (don't combine)
I went for to buy milk.（不要混用）
I went for to buy milk. (no combinar ambos)
I went for to buy milk.（混ぜない）
I went for to buy milk. (혼합하지 않음)
I came for helping. (use 'to help' for purpose)
I came for helping.（用'to help'表示目的）
I came for helping. (usar 'to help' para expresar propósito)
I came for helping.（目的には「to help」を使う）
I came for helping. (목적에는 'to help'을 사용)

Origen e historia

Purpose expression structures

Contexto cultural

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Más de este tema

so that / in order to ★★★★★ Expressing purpose as / since / because ★★★★★ Different ways to give reasons so that ★★★★★ Expressing purpose with a clause until / till ★★★★★ Up to a certain time although / despite / in spite of ★★★★☆ Expressing contrast and unexpected outcomes however / nevertheless / nonetheless ★★★★☆ Formal connectors showing contrast between sentences